Method for obtaining and allocating investment income based on the capitalization of intellectual property

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods of valuing property assets and methods of securitizing such assets. The present invention provides a means whereby holders or owners of proprietary intellectual property may readily determine the value to the business of the securitization of their intellectual property estate and obtain capital by securitizing all or part of their intellectual property estate.

The present invention relates to methods of valuing assets and methods of securitizing such assets. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of valuing and securitizing intellectual property. This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/224,222 filed Aug. 20, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,566, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/481,126 filed Jan. 11, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,315,836, which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/115,490 filed on Jan. 11, 1999 and Provisional Patent Application No. 60/161,178 filed on Oct. 22, 1999. Each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An object of financial transactions is to efficiently relate the valuation and risk of property created in the course of an enterprise to monetary sums which may be paid for or advanced against such property. A primary purpose for such transactions is the increase in capital which may be employed to perpetuate further useful enterprises. Two requirements of financial transactions are: (a) a means by which providers of capital may reasonably determine whether to enter into particular financial transactions with holders of property, and (b) a means for effecting the exchange of capital and property, respectively.

Various computational means exist that constitute prior art for measuring the reasonable market value of financial transactions involving properties owned by an enterprise. In the case of tangible properties and real estate, a principal element of the means has been the existence of a marketplace wherein the payment or advancement of monetary sums for similar properties occurs regularly, is recorded and published, and information is consequently available to participants in other such transactions. This permits a quantification of material terms and conditions for a specific financial transaction based on its similarity or, alternatively, its dissimilarity to prior financial transactions which occurred in a specific marketplace. For example, real estate is often purchased using money borrowed in the form of a mortgage. The lender provides the capital to acquire the property from its current owner in exchange for agreed upon future payments and a security interest in the property. Often, the original lender sells its mortgage rights to a third party for an amount based on the estimated present value of the future payments which the purchaser agrees to make. Similarly, one who owns real estate may obtain capital by selling the real estate to a lender and leasing back the property on specific terms. Both mortgages and/or sale/lease back agreements have been packaged and re-sold to third parties as securities. The process by which such a security is created is referred to as securitization.

The essential elements of such transactions that permit securitization are an assignable agreement having one or more specified future payments backed by rights sufficient to assure the party purchasing the security that the payments will be made or title to property of similar value can be obtained. In the case of a mortgage, the property interest is title to real estate. In the case of a sale/lease back, the property interest is the right of eviction. In the case of the securitization of patents, discussed in more detail below, the property interest obtained in the event that the future payments are not made is the right to exclude others from the use of the invention. In each case, the party providing the capital has the ability to acquire a property interest that can be resold to others to provide a return on their original capital investment in the event that the specified future payments are not made according to the agreement.

An increasingly significant object and result of human enterprise is the creation of new and useful knowledge through scientific inquiry and experimentation. Such activities are otherwise known as research and development (hereinafter “R&D”). Between the years 1981 and 1996 various public and private enterprises of the United States expended in the aggregate a sum varying between 2.32% and 2.74% of the annual Gross Domestic Product on R&D. In the calendar year 1995, aggregate U.S. R&D expenditures were computed to be in excess of $183 Billion. A result of R&D expenditures has been the creation of useful and proprietary discoveries which is generally called intellectual property. In the practice of accounting, it is well established that intellectual property is “intangible property” which is distinguishable from “tangible property” such as real estate, equipment, business inventories and the like.

As an incentive for R&D expenditures, R&D costs are fully deductible as an expense in the year the costs are incurred. Therefore, when R&D expenditures result in intellectual property such as a patent, the “book value” of the patent is zero even though the value to the business may be large. The market value of intellectual property is rarely evaluated because it is rarely sold or otherwise conveyed. This is so because the more valuable an intellectual property is, the more likely it is to be used by the business that developed it and the less likely it is to be sold. Thus there can exist a substantial difference between the market value of intellectual property and its book value. This difference represents an unrecognized capital asset of many businesses.

Heretofore, the apparently inalienable nature of intangible property has been an impediment to the securitization of such assets. This intangible quality of intellectual property has frustrated development of financial transactions to capitalize the inherent value of intellectual property. Although, patents and other intellectual property have been sold for capital and security interests in intellectual properties and have been used in the past to obtain capital, no generalized market for such properties has developed. One reason for this is that methods for determining the value to the business of intellectual property have not been made readily available to financial managers. Therefore, expenditures on R&D have tended to consume capital resources of an enterprise due to the unavailability of straightforward securitization for any resulting intellectual properties.

Some intellectual properties, created as a consequence of R&D, possess desirable characteristics which lend themselves to securitization. Patents are one such intellectual property. Patents entitle the owner to exclude others from practicing the invention covered by the patent. Another type of intellectual property is information described in writings and knowledge arising within a business which is: (a) not generally known by others; (b) is retained in secret, and (c) is disclosed to others only under covenants to retain such disclosed intellectual properties secret between and among the parties bound by such covenants (referred to as “trade secrets” or “know how”). Copyrights are another form of intellectual property which may be securitized.

A characteristic of these intellectual properties is the opportunity afforded to the owners or holders of such intellectual properties to license, lease or otherwise convey rights to use or otherwise practice the useful art, in whole or in part, embodied in such intellectual properties (hereinafter referred to as “licensing”).

The securitization of these intellectual properties has not widely occurred due to the lack of a readily available method for determining the value to a business of the securitization of some or all of its intellectual property and the lack of a marketplace for securities related to intellectual properties. Additional obstacles to the securitization of intellectual properties has been that prior transactions have either not constituted a sale subject to the favorable tax treatments associated with a sale. Other prior transactions have involved a sale and license arrangement where future payments are related to future sales of the goods or services covered by the intellectual property. In such a transaction, the future payments are not fixed or readily predictable. Therefore, the current value at any given time of such an agreement is difficult to quantify without substantial analytical effort.

An object of the present invention is to provide a means whereby holders or owners of proprietary intellectual property may readily determine the value to the business of the securitization of their intellectual property estate and obtain capital by securitizing all or part of their intellectual property estate. A further object of the invention is to provide a method of securitizing intellectual property that can have the tax treatment of a sale and has predictable future payments which permits ready valuation of the current value of the security at any time during the life of the agreement. A further object of the present invention is to provide a means to relate the valuations and risks associated with different proprietary IP's to each other and to other securitized financial transactions. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means by which providers of capital may aggregate and convey capital, and holders of proprietary IP may aggregate and convey proprietary IP in exchange for the capital. The aforementioned means shall also provide for the allocation of and accounting for equitable interests, income, and liabilities by and among the respective parties. Collectively, the means contemplated by the present invention are embodied in certain novel software, flowcharts and computational algorithms which separately and collectively constitute the devices and utilities to accomplish the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Another novelty disclosed by this invention is the securitization of proprietary IP through the concurrent or sequential exchange of rights in possession with rights in use which appends to the underlying financial transaction. A still further novelty disclosed by this invention is the creation of a legal entity required to hold the entire interests of the investors' rights in conveyed intellectual properties to perfect and enforce such rights.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The essential elements of the method of securitizing a patent include transferring title to one or more patents from the initial owner to a subsequent owner and the grant back to the initial owner of a license which has a scope less than the entire exclusive right of the patent and which requires one or more fixed future payments, which payments can be assigned to third parties by the subsequent owner. The scope of the license may be a nonexclusive license which permits additional licensing by the subsequent owner. Alternatively, the license granted to the initial owner may be an exclusive license limited to a field of use less than the entire scope of the patents involved in the transaction.

The Invention Includes a Unique Method of Securitizing a Patent.

To securitize a patent or other intellectual property, the entity acquiring the patent must truly become the owner of the patent so that the favorable tax treatment associated with the sale of a capital asset can be achieved. Further, the acquiring entity must obtain investment capital using recognized financial transactions. Therefore, the method of securitizing a patent described herein includes related but separate financial transactions, one of which is the true transfer of title to one or more patents and the other is in the form of an assignable investment instrument, including a system of obtaining payments from the former patent holder and allocating payments to one or more investors. The invention is discussed in more detail below with respect to an owner of a single patent. Nevertheless, the methods disclosed herein are applicable to a portfolio of multiple patents and to other types of intellectual property, as well.

The method comprises a method of allocating payments to each respective one of at least one investor account including the steps of: (a) defining at least one investor account, (b) obtaining an initial amount from at least one investor in exchange for an assignable agreement to allocate a proportionate amount of future income to the investor(s), (c) associating the initial amount from the investor(s) with the investor(s)'s account(s), (d) identifying the initial owner of a patent, (e) paying an amount to the initial owner of the patent upon the transfer of title to the patent from the initial owner to a subsequent owner other than one of the investor(s), (f) granting a license to the initial user for the use of the invention covered by the patent from the subsequent owner in exchange for an agreement by the initial owner to make at least one payment in a predetermined amount at a specified time, wherein the at least one payment may be assigned by the subsequent owner to a third party, (g) the license being limited in scope to include less than the entire exclusive right conferred by the patent, (h) obtaining at least one payment from the initial owner of the patent, (i) allocating the at least one payment from the initial ownership to the respective investor account(s), (j) wherein each investor(s) may assign their right to receive payment to a subsequent investor.

The method may also be applied in the situation where a particular patent is already licensed to a user other than the owner. In such case, the patent may be acquired from the current owner, subject to the existing license obligation, so long as the existing license is consistent with the method disclosed herein. Alternatively, the method may be applied independently of such license so long as the license back to the initial owner is broad enough to encompass the existing license. Thus, the method would not be directly applicable in the situation where a patent owner had granted an exclusive license of all the rights granted by the patent unless the licensee also participated and agreed to enter a new license in accordance with the method disclosed herein.

Although the method can be applied in the situation where there is only one investor, a much more typical situation will involve multiple investors. In that situation, each investor has a separate account and can separately sell their interest to subsequent investors and the system must create and track multiple investor accounts.

The Invention Includes a Method of Determining a Change in Value of an Owner of a Patent.

To effectively securitize a patent, an economically reasonable estimate of the current value of the patent must be obtained. Further, the ability to demonstrate to the current owner the value to them of securitizing their patent(s) is useful. While numerous methods of estimating the value of one or more patents are known, the invention disclosed herein includes a method of combining an estimate of the value of a patent with an assessment of the impact on the value of the business of securitizing that patent. This method comprises entering information related to the patent estate, calculating a value of the patent estate using a first valuation algorithm, selecting a second valuation algorithm having a plurality of inputs, inputting the value of the patent estate into the second valuation algorithm, inputting at least one additional piece of information required by the second valuation algorithm, and calculating the change in value of the owner of the patent using the second valuation algorithm. The method further comprises: inputting an identifier indicative of a utility of the patent by selecting from a list comprising “new product category,” “improvement on an existing product,” “a new process,” “an improvement on an existing process,” and “regulatory compliance.” The method may further comprise: selecting a first valuation algorithm from a plurality of valuation algorithms by selecting a first valuation algorithm particular to the type of utility associated with the patent. The method further comprises entering information on the financial characteristics of the owner not directly related to the patent. The owner's return on equity is an example of such a financial characteristic.

Method of Calculating the Change in Value of an Owner of Intellectual Property Upon Entering a Securitizing Agreement.

The present invention is a method to determine the securitizable value of a patent estate and whether the owner of the estate will be benefited by securitizing the patent estate. The method also applies to other types of intellectual property such as copyrights and trade secrets. For purposes of simplicity, the following discussion will use a patent estate for illustrative purposes.

Identifying a Patent Estate.

In order to begin the process, a patent estate must be identified. Generally, a business is identified that is interested in securitizing their patent portfolio. The business will identify all patents which they own and which they wish included in the patent estate being analyzed. A patent estate for the purposes of this invention may be a single patent or group of patents but would generally consist of all the patents owned by the business that relate to a particular product line or business activity. The patent estate may also contain patents owned by third parties so long as the business has exclusive rights in such third parties patents and the right to convey such exclusive rights to others. Once the patent estate is specifically identified, for the purposes of the method, the patent estate is given an identifier for tracking purposes.

Entering Information Related to the Patent Estate.

Once the patent estate is identified, its current value must be determined to an acceptable degree of accuracy for purposes of securitization. Different methods of valuing patents exist and will produce different estimated values. Typical information used for this valuation include, but are not limited to, sales of the goods covered by the patent, cost savings attributable to the invention covered by the patent, the book value of the business activities associated with the patent and ongoing expenditures for research and development. The number of different approaches to determining value of the patent estate is virtually limitless. See, for example, 1982 Licensing Law Handbook published by Clark Boardman Co.

When determining securitizable value, it is particularly appropriate to include methodologies that account for ongoing revenues and costs. Patents not associated with any revenue are unlikely to have a reasonably predictable security value. Further, some patents have the benefit of reducing costs and reduced costs must be considered for such patents. Some patents, such as those associated with environmental control technologies, provide the benefit of permitting a business to continue in operation and therefore ongoing revenue is preserved.

The particular valuation algorithm will necessarily determine what information must be obtained and entered for the valuation to be completed. In addition to financial information, additional information such as the remaining life of the patent or a description of the benefit provided may be used by the first valuation algorithm.

Determining a Value of the Patent Estate Using a First Valuation Algorithm.

Once the first valuation algorithm has been determined, the current value of the patent estate is determined using the algorithm.

Selecting a Second Valuation Algorithm Having at Least Two Inputs.

Determining whether a particular business should securitize a particular patent estate will depend on factors in addition to the estimated value of the patent estate. In particular, it will rarely be beneficial to securitize a patent estate, which requires a future payment stream predicated on a return on investment to the securitizing party greater than the business's return on equity. Therefore, in addition to determining the current value of the patent estate, the change in value of the owner of the patent estate must be determined. It is presumed that a patent owner would not securitize its patent estate if it resulted in a drop in the value of the business.

Entering the Value of the Patent Estate Into the Second Valuation Algorithm.

Although not dispositive, the current value of the patent estate is presumed to be the value at which the estate will be securitized, assuming a decision to securitize is made and therefore the estimated current value is a critical piece of information used by a second valuation algorithm. Once the change in value of the business based on this assumption has been determined, the patent estate may be securitized for an amount related to, but not identical to, the estimated current value. For example, if the estimated current value is $370,180,000, the patent estate may be securitized for $350,000,000, $370,000,000 or other amounts in a similar range but would not be expected to be securitized for an amount of $500,000,000.

Securitization will typically involve an exchange of the patent estate for a lump sum payment and an agreement to make future royalty payments. The future value to the business of the net proceeds of the lump sum amount must be considered in any second valuation algorithm. One measure of the future value of the net proceeds of the lump sum payment is the businesses current return on equity. Other measures such as money market rates or the prime rate may also by used.

Securitization may also involve an agreed upon future payment stream from the securitizing party to the business.

Entering Additional Information Required by the Second Valuation Algorithm.

Once the second valuation algorithm is selected, the appropriate information is collected and entered.

Using the Second Valuation Algorithm to Determine a Change in the Current Value of the Owner of the Patent.

The second valuation algorithm will determine the value of the business assuming the patent estate is securitized and presuming that the patent estate is not securitized. The difference between the two values is the net value of the decision to securitize the patent estate. If the value is positive, the business will be better off in the amount if the patent estate is securitized in accordance with the assumptions of the method.

The Method of Establishing a Marketplace for Securitized Intellectual Property.

To permit the management of a portfolio of securitized patents with the ability to include new investors and permit existing investors to transfer their interests, a computer system is necessary. The system will handle multiple patent portfolios, multiple investor accounts and the transactions whereby interests in the various patent portfolios are transferred between investors.

Therefore, the method of establishing a marketplace for securitized intellectual property includes a data processing system for managing the transfer and allocation of monetary funds between a portfolio of investor accounts held by at least one investor, and a portfolio of at least one developer account held by at least one developer of a portfolio comprising at least one patent, the system comprising:

-   -   (a) recording means for recording data;     -   (b) means for crediting on the recording means each respective         investor account with funds obtained from each respective         investor, and for allocating to each investor account a         percentage share that each investor account holds relative to         the portfolio;     -   (c) means for indicating on the recording means that a         predetermined quantity of the funds from the portfolio of at         least one investor account are transferred to the portfolio of         at least one developer account upon the transfer of title to         each patent of the portfolio of at least one patent from the at         least one developer to the at least one investor, and upon the         grant of the right to use the portfolio of at least one patent         from the at least one investor to the at least one developer;     -   (d) means for indicating on the recording means that at least         one payment is periodically transferred from the portfolio of at         least one developer account to the portfolio of at least one         investor account; and     -   (e) means for indicating on the recording means that each         payment to the portfolio of at least one investor account is         allocated to each investor account according to the percentage         share that each respective investor account holds in the         portfolio of at least one investor account.         -   The system may further comprise a computer processor for             processing data; and wherein the recording means is a data             disk operatively connected to the computer processor means.         -   The system may further comprise a computer processor for             processing data; and wherein the recording means is a data             disk operatively connected to the computer processor means;             and the system further comprises means for processing on the             recording means data regarding the transfer and allocation             of monetary funds between the at least one investor account             and the at least one developer account.         -   The system may further comprise a computer processor for             processing data; and wherein the recording means is a data             disk operatively connected to the computer processor means;             and the system further comprises means for initializing the             recording means to magnetically store selected data             regarding the crediting and transfer of funds and payments             to and from the portfolio of at least one investor account             and at least one developer account.         -   The system may further comprise a recording means which             comprises at least one sheet of paper and means for             transcribing data thereon.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the right             to use is an exclusive right to use.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the right             to use each respective patent of the portfolio of at least             one patent is an exclusive right to use each respective             patent for the term of the respective patent.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             predetermined quantity of the funds represents the future             value of the portfolio of at least one patent discounted by             a predetermined interest rate applied over a period of time             extending to the time at which the future value is             represented.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio also includes at least one security instrument.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio also includes a money market account.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio comprising at least one patent comprises at least             a low risk portion of the portfolio and a high risk portion             of the portfolio; and the system further comprises recording             an allocation, selected by each respective investor, of             funds from the respective investor between the low risk             portion of the portfolio and the high risk portion of the             portfolio.         -   Another embodiment of the system additionally includes a             data processing system for managing the transfer and             allocation of monetary funds between a portfolio of investor             accounts held by at least one investor, and a portfolio of             at least one developer account held by at least one             developer of a portfolio of at least one patent, the system             comprising:     -   (f) computer processor means for processing data;     -   (g) storage means operatively connected to the computer         processor means for storing data;     -   (h) means for crediting on the storage means each respective         investor account with funds obtained from each respective         investor, and for allocating to each investor account a         percentage share that each investor account holds relative to         the portfolio of at least one investor accounts;     -   (i) means for indicating on the storage means that a         predetermined quantity of the funds from the portfolio of at         least one investor account are transferred to the portfolio of         at least one developer account upon the transfer of title to         each patent of the portfolio of at least one patent from the at         least one developer to the at least one investor, and upon the         grant of the right to use the portfolio of at least one patent         from the at least one investor to the at least one developer;     -   (j) means for indicating on the storage means that at least one         payment is periodically transferred from the portfolio of at         least one developer account to the portfolio of at least one         investor account; and     -   (k) means for indicating on the storage means that each payment         to the portfolio of at least one investor account is allocated         to each investor account according to the percentage share that         each respective investor account holds in the portfolio of at         least one investor account.         -   The system may further comprise means for processing on the             storage means data regarding the transfer and allocation of             monetary funds between the at least one investor account and             the at least one developer account.         -   The system may further comprise means for initializing the             storage means to magnetically store selected data regarding             the crediting and transfer of funds and payments to and from             the portfolio of at least one investor account and at least             one developer account.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the right             to use is an exclusive right to use.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the right             to use each respective patent of the portfolio of at least             one patent is an exclusive right to use each respective             patent for the term of the respective patent.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             predetermined quantity of the funds represents the future             value of the portfolio of at least one patent discounted by             a predetermined interest rate applied over a period time             extending to the time at which the future value is             represented.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio of patents further comprises at least one security             instrument.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio of patents further comprises a money market             account.         -   The system may further comprise a system wherein the             portfolio of at least one patent comprises at least a low             risk portion of the portfolio and a high risk portion of the             portfolio; and the system further comprises storage an             allocation, selected by each respective investor, of funds             from the respective investor between the low risk portion of             the portfolio and the high risk portion of the portfolio.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general flowchart view of the portions of the computational devices that respectively provide: (1) valuations for patented intellectual properties and (2) investment criteria database and evaluation of an enterprise's pre-existing financial condition.

FIG. 2 is a continuation of FIG. 1's flowchart view of the computational devices which further provide for optimization and selection of transaction parameters following from the valuation investment criteria portions of the flowcharts.

FIG. 3 is a general flowchart view of the formation of an investment entity for the pooling of investment capital, acquisition of patent estates, collection of revenues and distribution funds, revenues, proceeds and interests amongst parties of the investment entity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the invention for securitization of patents is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as follows:

1. In FIG. 1 at 1A, Patent Holder [1] inputs into Computer Program [7] a Patent [2] available for valuation and securitization.

2. Patent Data [3-6] is accessed from patent documents or data transmitted electronically (facsimile or internet access among other methods) including but not limited to; patent number, date of issue, claims, citations, inventors, assignees, and cross references and entered into Computer Program [7].

3. Computer Program [7] prompts the program user at decision point [8] to declare ownership status of Patent [2]. A negative input at [8] prompts decision point [9] to determine assumption of legal liabilities by Holder [1] pursuant to a securitization of Patent [2]. A negative input at [9] terminates the processing of Patent [2] by Program [7] and prompts the user for a new Patent [2′] at decision input [10] from Holder [1] into Program [7]. A negative input at [10] prompts user to enter a new Patent Holder [1′] at 1A on FIG. 1.

4. A positive response at [8] or [9] prompts Performance Data sub program [11] to engage a plurality of decision points [12-14] to select utility of Patent [2] to Holder [1]. Decision points [12-14] determine whether Patent [2] constitutes an invention or improvement of a product, process, or compliance of a product or process to regulatory standards, among other factors. An affirmative input at a particular decision point [12-14] engages an algorithm with a function scalar≠0 within sub program [15] of Program [7]. The algorithm may derive from a database of applicable algorithms for a particular decision point [12-14]. A negative input to all decisions points exits sub program [11] and prompts decision point [10].

5. Sub-program [15] prompts the user to input accounting and business data at inputs [16-19] that relate to Patent [2]. Such inputs may include, without limitation: [16] historical and current accounting data related to revenues, direct and indirect costs, balance sheets, and associated cash flows; [17] forecasts of future accounting data; [18] risk algorithms applicable to [17]; and [19] R&D and continuing development costs for Patent [2].

6. Sub-program [15] performs a computational analysis which compares data inputs from [16-19] to data computed from assuming non-existence of Patent [2].

7. A decision point [20] performs a difference analysis of the output of Steps 5 and 6 previous to determine Patent [2] marginal value. For marginal value>0 sub-program [15] inputs Patent [2] data to sub-program [21] to perform valuation modeling. For marginal value≦0 the program prompts [10].

8. The prompt of sub-program [21] concurrently prompts inputs [22-25] relating (without limitation) to the proprietary life and uncertainty risks associated with Patent [2]. Inputs [22-25] consist without limitation; [22] economic life; [23] legal life (may include input of [4]); [24] technology risk obsolescence (may include inputs [5, 6] and selection of algorithm contained within database [40]); and [25] valuation risk comprising selection of algorithms in database [40] or direct input. Sub-program [21] compares inputs [22-25] to valuation data array database [40] at 1B which comprises accumulative data on a plurality of patents from a plurality of holders.

9. Sub-program [21] performs a series of patent valuation optimization computations detailed at 2A on FIG B.

10. Holder's [1] input of Holder's financial description [27] into Program [28] on FIG. 1 may constitute a separate program or a linked program to Program [7]. The program link occurs at [20] where marginal value>0 and inputs to decision point [29] to characterize a transaction as “on” or “off” balance sheet. “On” balance sheet transactions prompt sub program [30] to compute algorithms for patent [2] valuations based on changes made to balance sheets. “Off” balance sheet transactions input data at outputs [20] and/or [28] directly into financial model sub-program [31].

11. Sub-program [31] receives inputs alternatively from decision point [29], sub-program [30] or database [50] at 1C. Database [50] may receive and accumulate Investor investment parameters [32] at 1D on FIG. 1. Sub-program [31] uses computational algorithms to initialize financial optimizations at [33] and detailed at 2B on FIG. 2.

12. Output from [31] is accumulated in database [50] for future reference, and standardization and normalization of financial computations.

13. The Valuation scenario sub-program at [26] connects at 2A on FIG. 2. At [34], the user is prompted by a decision point to set valuation boundary conditions. The valuation boundary conditions may include, without limitation, alternative inputs to inputs [16-19, 22-25]. An affirmative response at [34] prompts input [35] for boundary conditions {N_(i)} and {N_(f)} for various alternative inputs.

14. Inputs at [35] initialize sub-program [36] which dimensions Valuation Model {N_(x)}. A negative response at [34] directly inputs outputs at [26] in sub-program [36].

15. Valuation Model sub-program [36] enters a subroutine [37] which performs a “do loop” maximum/minimum iteration sub-program [38] for each {N_(x)}. The output at [38] queues Valuation Data array [39] and inserts and/or compares data output to Valuation Data Base [40] at 1B on FIG. 1 and B respectively.

16. An optimization of Valuation Model {N} and Financial Optimization {M} is performed at sub program [41]. Such optimization methods may include without limitation, maximization of the determinant of the cross product of {N} and {M} or topological analysis. Output is held at [42] in storage pending next selection of {N} boundary conditions at [43] which enters subroutine [37].

17. The Financial scenario sub-program at [33] connects at 2B on FIG. 2. At [44] the user is prompted by a decision point to set financial boundary conditions. The financial boundary conditions include, without limitation, financial performance conditions such as net present value, discounted cash flow, minimum or maximum investment increments. An affirmative response at [44] prompts input at [45] to set financial boundary conditions {M_(i)} and {M_(f)}.

18. Inputs at [45] initialize sub-program [46] which dimensions Financial Model {M_(x)}. A negative response at [44] directly inputs outputs at [33] in sub-program [46].

19. Financial Model sub-program [46] enters a subroutine [47] which performs a “do loop” maximum/minimum iteration sub-program [48] for each {M_(x)}. The output at [48] queues Financial Data Array [49] and inserts and/or compares data output to Valuation Data Base [50] at 1B on FIG. 1 and B respectively.

20. An optimization of Valuation Model {N} and Financial Optimization {M} is performed at sub-program [41]. Such optimization methods may include without limitation, maximization of the determinant of the cross product of {N} and {M} or topological analysis. Output is held at [51] in storage pending next selection of {M} boundary conditions at [52] which enters subroutine [47].

21. A plot and/or sort of data held at [42] identifies ({N_(Max)} vs. M).

22. A plot and/or sort of data held at [51] identifies ({M_(Max)} vs. N).

23. At decision point [53] the intersection of {Plot N_(Max)} determined at [42] with {Plot M_(Max)} determined at [51] {Plot N_(Max)∩ Plot M_(Max)} is evaluated. An intersection resulting in a Null set is deemed negative which prompts decision point [54]. An intersection≠Null set is deemed affirmative and prompts selection of M and N at [55].

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE Example 1 A Monetization of a Patent

Company T decides to monetize a patent it owns which is identified as Patent A. Patent A is a U.S. patent which covers the composition of matter of a pharmaceutical substance α which is used in the treatment of a human health disorder H. The following information is known about Patent A, product α, and the marketplace for health disorder H:

-   -   (a) The unexpired life of Patent A is 10 years=AG23=RPL.     -   (b) Company T is the assignee of the entire interest in Patent         A.     -   (c) There are no legal actions pending against Company T with         respects to the validity or enforceability of Patent A.     -   (d) Company T spent $1,000,000=AG21=IF(IREV>0,AG21=0,AG21) to         research and develop the technology covered by Patent A which         Company T expensed in the years in which the research was         conducted.     -   (e) The sales of product α are $25 million per year=IREV in the         United States. The economic life of α, absent foreseeable         technological replacements, will significantly exceed 10 years.     -   (f) Sales of product α have grown steadily at 10% per         year=RVGR=IF((I1*G1−IREV)/G1<RVGR,RVGR=H1,RVGR) in the previous         five years.     -   (g) The value of all products and services currently used to         treat disorder H in the U.S. is $30 million per year.=G1     -   (h) The incidence of H is increasing 3% per year=H1 in the U.S.     -   (i) Approximately 90%=I1 of persons suffering from H respond         favorably to treatment by α which is also the lowest cost form         of treatment for H.     -   (j) The materials, manufacturing overhead, sales, administrative         and continuing R&D costs associated with α as a percent of sales         revenues:

Sales Revenues 100% Materials 20% = MTL Manufacturing Overhead 10% = MFGOH Gross Margin 70% Sales 15% = SALESEXP Administration 10% = ADMN Continuing R&D 5% = R&DEXP Operating Margin 40%

-   -   (k) Company T is taxed at the rate of 35%=XTAXRATE=XCGR for         ordinary income and capital gains income respectively. For         simplicity in this example, the rates are assumed to be the         same.     -   (l) The financial method of analysis used by Company T are         return on equity (“ROE”) and net present value (“NPV”). The ROE         for T is 15% per year=XROE and the NPV discount factor is 6% per         year=XNPVDF.     -   (m) For purposes of this Example, inflation and changes in         manufacturing cost are both respectively set at 0% per         year=XINFLRATE for the unexpired life of Patent A.     -   (n) Compound α expresses useful biological activity suitable for         animal health applications. For purposes of this Example, the         contingent economic benefit that could result from application         of α to animal health markets is discounted to zero.         In Example 1-A, a first valuation algorithm is employed using         inputs disclosed in (a)-(k) and (m) to determine the remaining         value of Patent A to Company T. The preferred first valuation         algorithm is more particularly described in “Preferred         Embodiment of the Invention”. The first valuation algorithm         determines that existing business activity obviates the         application of prior R&D expenditures recited in (d) to the         computation of value for A.

The sales growth portion of the algorithm for compound α modifies the historical growth recited in (f) to account for the market limits for H recited in (g) and (h) and the available portion of market H to compound a which is recited in (i).

The first valuation algorithm determines apportionment of Patent A value in each subsequent accounting period as a fraction of the operating margin or gross margin respectively depending on the specific utility of A and the dependent requirements of business functions other than A to sustain the sales of α.

With respect to R&D, the first valuation algorithm takes into account whether such expenditures constitute a continuing technical maintenance cost required for sales of α or whether such expenditures relate to investments in new technology development unrelated to the current market and sales of α.

For a Patent A having all the technical characteristics previously recited, and for a market H, product α and Company T having the business characteristics previously recited, the gross monetization value of Patent A with respects to its unexpired patent life can be reasonably computed to be $50.87 million.

The specific computations and algorithms utilized to determine the gross monetization value of Patent A above are recited below:

-   -   (1) Calculation of Book Value of business in which Patent A is         employed:         Net Profit For Year         N=(IREV*(1+RVGR)^(N−1)−IREV*(MTL+MFGOH+SALESEXP+ADMN+R&D)*(1+XINFLRATE)^(N−1))*(1−XTAXRATE)/(1+XNPVDF)^(N−1)=NP(N)         By making the numerical substitutions set forth above, the         numerical results are:

For IREV=$25.0 (Millions/Year)

-   -   RVGR=3.0% (Annual Growth)     -   MTL=20% (Material Cost as % Sales)     -   MFGOH=10% (Manufacturing Overhead as % Sales)     -   SALESEXP=15% (Sales Cost as % Sales)     -   ADMN=10% (Administration as % Sales)     -   R&DEXP=5% (Continuing R&D on α as % Sales)     -   XINFLRATE=0% (Inflation %/year)     -   XTAXRATE=35% (Ordinary Income Tax Rate % Taxable Business         Income/year)     -   XNPVDF=6% (Discount Factor, %/year     -   (i) The resulting outputs are:

N (Year) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NP(N)(Mil $) $6.5 $6.6 $6.7 $6.7 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 (ii) Book Value=Adjustment to Net Profit for NPV and ROE=((FOR N=1,N=RPL−1), (XBPROE*NP))/XBPNPVDF+NP(N+1): (XBPROE*NP(RPL−1))/XBPNPVDF+NP(RPL)=BOOK

-   -   where XBPROE=1+XROE and         -   XBPNPVDF=1+XNPVDF             By making the numerical substitutions set forth in Example             1-A, the numerical results are:

For XROE=15% (Return on Equity %/year)

-   -   XBPROE=1.15     -   XNPVDF=6% (Net Present Value Discount %/year)     -   XBPNPVDF=1.06 and

N (Year) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NP(N)(Mil $) $6.5 $6.6 $6.7 $6.7 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8 $6.8

The resulting output is BOOK=$99.37 million.

The output variable BOOK reflects the expected increase in business value for Company T that results solely from the profits and assumed re-investment of profits derived from the sale and manufacture of α during the remaining patent life of “A”. Such calculations are recognized as useful measures of future business value.

-   -   (2) Calculation of Fractional Business Value and Present Value         Attributable to Patent A Technology:         (i) Technology         Fraction=XMFGSAV*XMFGCOST+LNWPR*(1−XMFGCOST−SALESEXP)*(ADMN+R&DEXP)/(SALESEXP+ADMN+R&DEXP)+LREG*(1−(XMFGCOST+SALESEXP+ADMN+R&DEXP−XREGCOST))*R&DEXP/(XREGCOST+R&DEXP)=TECHFRAC     -   where XMFGSAV=Manufacturing Savings %=0         -   LNWPR=IF(New Product,1,0)=1         -   LREG=IF(Required by Regulation,1,0)=0         -   XREGCOST=Regulatory Costs %=0         -   XMFGCOST=MTL+MFGOH=Manufacturing Costs=30%             By making the additional numerical substitutions set forth             above, the numerical results are:

For SALESEXP=15% (Sales Cost as % Sales)

-   -   ADMN=10% (Administration as % Sales)     -   R&DEXP=5% (Continuing R&D on α as % Sales)

The resulting output is TECHFRAC=0.275=27.5%.

The output variable TECHFRAC is an empirical coefficient which can be employed in a successive algorithm to attribute a cash value that is contributed by a technology to a business in a discrete time period. The TECHFRAC algorithm reflects the fractional contribution that technology makes to the total value of a business which may be compared to fractional values contributed by other business functions. Such calculations represent an improvement over prior efforts to estimate technology value as either all or none of the profits of a business. The TECHFRAC algorithm anticipates that useful technologies have discrete and distinguishable means for contributing value as a function of the technological novelty. (i) Technology Present Value=SUM((TECHFRAC*IREV*(1+RVGR)^(N−1)−R&DEXP*IREV*(1+XINFLRATE)^(N−1))/XBPNPVDFA^(N−1): (TECHFRAC*IREV*(1+RVGR)^(RPL−1)−R&DEXP*IREV*(1+XINFLRATE)^(RPL−1))/XBPNPVDF^(RPL−1))=TECHVALUE By making the numerical substitutions set forth above, the numerical results are:

For IREV=$25.0 (Millions/Year)

-   -   RVGR=3.0% (Annual Growth)     -   R&DEXP=5% (Continuing R&D on α as % Sales)     -   XINFLRATE=0% (Inflation %/year)     -   N=Years 1 to RPL     -   RPL=10 Years     -   XBPNPVDF=1.06 Net Present Value Discount     -   TECHFRAC=27.5%

The resulting output is TECHVALUE=$50.87 Million.

The output variable TECHVALUE is a current valuation of Patent A as a property asset whose value is the sum of its income contribution due to its technological novelty over its unexpired patent life and divided by a net present value denominator for future expected income. Income contribution computed by multiplying TECHFRAC and future expected annual sales is reduced to the extent future R&D expenditures are made to maintain the utility of Patent A. The TECHVALUE algorithm is a novel and useful method to determine the internal value of an intellectual property to a business that owns and utilizes such an intellectual property. TECHVALUE is novel in that it creates a computed economic value that a prospective purchaser of such a technology may utilize to determine whether such a purchase price is supported by the business currently using it. A further novelty is that TECHVALUE does not require a pre-existing market for technologies similar to Patent A to compute a value that reasonably represents a maximum appraisal value that is supportable by the business presently using Patent A.

Such monetization computed by the enumerated algorithms set forth in this Example 1 does not preclude the computation of alternative values as a result of alternative inputs in (a)-(n). Further, the computation does not preclude the use of the algorithms to compute the reasonable fair value that can be attributed to various contingent applications of A for businesses not yet in existence but foreseeable prior to the unexpired life of A. The computation does not preclude the use of statistical variations or processes to manipulate the inputs into the valuation algorithms or statistical manipulation of such outputs to express the reasonable range of the value of A.

It will be obvious that such variations will compute a bounded range for the value of A whose maximum and minimum values will constitute the most likely monetization values of A which result in the least variance of the solution set of all such monetization values.

The more realistically that Patent A's present value can be estimated, the less risk is involved in the creation of a monetized financial derivative. Having a reasonably predictable risk is essential to having a viable marketplace for the securitization of patents. In the current embodiment, the derivative is structured as a purchase money instrument which pays a fixed royalty at regular intervals over the remaining life of Patent A in exchange for a license to Company T to practice A. Computation of a fixed royalty stream can be accomplished with well known algorithms for determining the required payment to return a predetermined rate of return given an initial principal amount.

(3) Annual Royalty payments on Patent A: (i) Annual Royalty=PMT(XRAR,RPL,−TECHVALUE)=ROYALTY

where XRAR=Royalty Annuity Rate %/year=7.0%

-   -   PMT( )=Annuity Computation Function         By making the additional numerical substitutions set forth in         Example 1-A, the numerical results are:

For XRAR=7.0% (Royalty Annuity %/year)

RPL=10 Years

TECHVALUE=$50.87 Million

The resulting output is ROYALTY=$7.24 Million/year.

The selection of values for XRAR (royalty annuity rate) may be arbitrary or may be selected so that the present value of current and future income of Company T where Patent A is sold and back-licensed equals or exceeds the present book value of the business income of Company T over the life of Patent A. While such algorithms such as Eq. (3)(i) constitute prior art in the computation of annuity or debt and principal calculations for pre-existing financial instruments it is novel and useful to create the algorithm of Eq. (3)(i) that integrates the TECHVALUE algorithm to apply Eq. (3)(i) algorithms to intellectual property.

The computations to determine if Company T obtains an increase in present book value if it securitizes Patent A are:

(4) Net Present Value of Patent A Sale proceeds over remaining Patent life: (i) NPV Patent=(1−XCGR+LDCG*XCGR)*XFees*(XBPROE)^ARPL/XBPNPVDF^(RPL)=PATENT$

For: LDCG=Defer capital gains? (Y=1,N=0)=0

-   -   XCGR=35% (Capital Gains Tax Rate)     -   XFees=TECHVALUE*(1−Fees %)=TECHVALUE     -   Fees %=0 (Business Expenses for Transaction, %/TECHVALUE)     -   XBPROE=1.15 (Return on Equity Multiplier)     -   XBPNPV=1.06 (Net Present Value Discount Divisor)     -   DF     -   RPL=10

The resulting output is PATENT$=$74.70 Million. (ii) Profits−License Royalties For Year N=(IREV*(1+RVGR)^(N−1)−(IREV*(MTL+MFGOH+SALESEXP+ADMN+R&DEXP))*(1+XINFLRATE)^(N−1)−ROYALTY)*(1−XTAXRATE)/(1+XNPVDF)^(N−1)=NEWNET(N)

For: IREV=$25.0 Million (First Year Sales)

-   -   RVGR=3% (Sales Growth %/year)     -   N=1 to RPL (Years of Unexpired Patent life)     -   RPL=10 years (Remaining Legal Life of Patent A)     -   MTL=20% (Material Cost as % Sales)     -   MFGOH=10% (Manufacturing Overhead as % Sales)     -   SALESEXP=15% (Sales Cost as % Sales)     -   ADMN=10% (Administration as % Sales)     -   R&DEXP=5% (Continuing R&D on α as % Sales)     -   XINFLRATE=0% (Inflation %/year)     -   XNPVDF=6% (Net Present Value Discount %/yr)     -   XTAXRATE=35%(Ordinary Income Tax Rate %)     -   ROYALTY=$7.24 Million (Annual Royalty)

The resulting output NEWNET(N) for years N=1 to 10 years is:

N (Year) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEWNET(N)(Mil $) $1.8 $2.2 $2.5 $2.8 $3.0 $3.3 $3.5 $3.7 $3.8 $4.0 (iii) New Book Value=NPV and ROE Adjustments to Sum of NEWNET(N)=((FOR N=1,N=RPL−1),(XBPROE*NEWNET(N)/XBPNPVDF+NEWNET(N+1)):(XBPROE*NEWNET(RPL−1)/XBPNPVDF+NEWNET(RPL))+PATENT$=NEWBOOK

For: XBPROE=1.15 (Return on Equity Multiplier)

-   -   XBPNPVDF=1.06 (Net Present Value Divisor)     -   RPL=10 years (Unexpired Patent Life) and

N (Year) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEWNET(N)(Mil $) $1.8 $2.2 $2.5 $2.8 $3.0 $3.3 $3.5 $3.7 $3.8 $4.0

The resulting output is NEWBOOK=$117.49 Million. (iv) Change in Book Value=NEWBOOK−BOOK=VALUECHANGE

For: NEWBOOK=$117.49 Million

-   -   BOOK=$99.37 Million

The resulting output is CHANGEVALUE=$18.12 Million

The foregoing algorithms permit Company T to compare the difference between BOOK and NEWBOOK. If CHANGEVALUE>0, it is to Company T's advantage to sell and back license Patent A. The algorithms also permit Company T to determine any interim CHANGEVALUE(N) between NEWBOOK(N) and BOOK(N) by substituting any year N for the variable RPL where 1≦N≦RPL. 

1. An electronic data processing method of determining a change in value to an owner of an intellectual property estate having at least one patent comprising: entering information related to the patent estate; calculating a present value of the intellectual property estate using a first computerized valuation algorithm; selecting a second computerized valuation algorithm having a plurality of inputs; inputting the value of the patent estate into the second valuation algorithm; inputting at least one additional piece of information reflecting the owner's intellectual property estate as a security required by the second valuation algorithm; and calculating a future value to the owner of the intellectual property estate using the second computerized valuation algorithm.
 2. An electronic data processing method according to claim 1 wherein the intellectual property estate further comprises more than one patent.
 3. An electronic data processing method according to claim 1 further comprising: entering an identifier for each patent of the intellectual property estate, which comprises entering the patent number.
 4. An electronic data processing method according to claim 1 further comprising: entering an identifier indicative of a utility of each patent in the intellectual property estate, which comprises selecting from a list comprising new product category, improvement on existing product, new process, improvement on existing process, and regulatory compliance.
 5. An electronic data processing method according to claim 4 further comprising: using the identifier indicative of a utility for selecting a first valuation algorithm from a plurality of valuation algorithms particular to the type of utility associated with each patent.
 6. An electronic data processing method according to claim 1 wherein the step of entering information related to the intellectual property estate comprises entering information on the financial characteristics of the owner.
 7. An electronic data processing method according to claim 1 wherein the step of determining the present value to the owner of the patent estate using the first valuation algorithm, comprises determining the present value of the owner with each patent and without each patent. 